Primark seeking permission to double the size of Laois Penneys store

The Laois Penneys store is once again the subject of a planning application to double in size.

For the third time in five years, Penneys in Laois Shopping Centre, Portlaoise is going to the planners in Laois County Council, asking permission to expand.

This time rather than the shopping centre owners Lindat Ltd, it is Primark Ltd doing the asking.

The international business has also altered the plan, taking in a different retail unit and opening up onto the outside of the centre.

The store would go from being 1,454 square metres to 2,874 square metres in size.

There was great excitement among Laois customers when the Portlaoise Penneys got approval in 2020, but no development happened. Read an expansion update from Primark in 2022.

Primark Limited in Unit 98, is applying for permission to carry out internal alterations at mall level on the upper ground floor to amalgamate with the vacant shop unit 132 of 1,379 sqm, that faces out onto the front of the shopping centre at James Fintan Lalor Avenue. 

They say this will result in an additional 39 square metres retail area and a total Penneys retail floor area of 2,874 square metres.

They plan to remove the existing wall between both units, alter the existing goods-in service area, block up two existing external doors, form three new external doors and alter another door to make a new fire escape.

They also want to add a new plant enclosure in the existing service area and install new plant and equipment.

Laois Shopping Centre, which also has Tesco Extra, Born Clothing, Jack&Jones, Peter Mark, Boots among many other retailers.

Fit-out of the amalgamated Portlaoise Penneys unit  includes the retail area, back of house storage area, staff facilities, canteen, toilets and a new shopfront to mall.

The proposed development also provides for external Penneys signage on the shopping centre to replace two existing signs and erect three new signs. 

When an expansion was first granted in 2020, the expansion was expected to be complete within nine months. In 2022 there were minor changes made, also approved by the planners but no building took place. 

Laois Shopping Centre is also getting a new restaurant, facing on to James Fintan Lalor Avenue near Eddie Rockets.

The popular Mexican Burrito chain Namo is expanding to Laois, and is currently altering two empty shop units into a restaurant, due to open soon.

Primark Ltd has been asked for a comment.